$2.5 Million Gift Aims to Help Children Survive and Thrive

Dr. David Wessel Named IKARIA® Distinguished Professor of Critical Care Medicine at Children’s National Medical Center

On March 23, 2010, Children’s National Medical Center appointed David L. Wessel, MD, as the first IKARIA^® Distinguished Professor of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Wessel is the division chief and senior vice president of hospital-based specialties and is internationally known for his pioneering work in caring for infants with heart disease.

The $2.5 million endowment was created by IKARIA^®, a biotherapeutics company whose acute care products and therapies address the significant unmet needs of critically ill patients. 

“The dedication of the health care professionals who work in the critical care environment is our constant inspiration,” said Daniel Tassé, chairman and chief executive officer of IKARIA^®.

Edwin K. Zechman Jr., president and CEO of Children’s National, said, "We are grateful for IKARIA's generosity and commitment to improving the care of our most vulnerable patients. This partnership will be life-changing – and life-saving – for so many."

Dr. Wessel said, "We are convinced that refining critical care treatments will improve long-term physical and developmental outcomes for our young patients. At Children’s National Medical Center, our goal is for children to not only survive, but thrive."

Educated and trained in medicine at Oxford, Yale and Harvard, Dr. Wessel joined Children’s National Medical Center in July 2007. An experienced scientist and clinical researcher, Dr. Wessel is widely viewed as the "father of pediatric cardiac intensive care." Dr. Wessel has also been listed as one of the "Best Doctors in America" continuously since the inception of the ranking.